The United States labor market has seen dramatic shifts in its occupational composition over the past few decades. Employment and wages have grown for workers at both the high and low end of the skill distribution, while those in the middle have suffered. Community colleges have historically acted as suppliers of middle-skill jobs and drivers of…

In today's labor market, students increasingly need greater levels of postsecondary education and training to enter or advance in many industries. Meanwhile, employers are calling for the education system to better align with industry needs, as their demands for a skilled workforce continue to rise. In response to the increasing emphasis for…

This article draws on information from a study conducted in 2007 and 2008 by the Community College Research Center at Columbia University in conjunction with the National Council on Workforce Education and the National Council on Continuing Education and Training (Van Noy and others, 2008). The study used two key sources of data. First, state…

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. That's a pretty strong statement in defense of the value of higher education in this country. But it will mean little unless the nation's colleges and universities--and, specifically, community colleges--can produce more workers…

In an effort to promote economic development in the Long Island City (New York) area, a study was conducted of the training and human resource needs of local manufacturing firms and the demographic characteristics of the local labor force. Specifically, the study sought to examine company needs, highlight programs available to address those needs,…

Discusses the community colleges' role in training and retraining the U.S. workforce. Describes the demographics and skills required of today's labor force and changes in the workplace. Highlights business training needs, the training and education needs of workers, and styles of training and education. (DMM)

This article features a "Triad" partnership of a group of Snohomish County organizations representing education, government and industry. Recognizing the need for a training and workforce development effort to address the aerospace manufacturing employers' needs, Triad views themselves as the pivotal cornerstone for deployment of complex…

Examines the changing nature of today's labor market and workplace. Reviews trends in workforce composition, considers the discrepancy between the skill levels of workers and the skills needed for new jobs, and discusses the community college's role in work force development. (DMM)

Provides citations and abstracts for ERIC documents describing employer needs assessment studies. (AYC)

A project was conducted to provide women, minority, veteran, and handicapped college students with a structured cooperative education work experience which would enhance career selection and mobility and provide supervised employment in fields related to the students' interests and academic majors while supplying the employers with trained…

Designed to assist staff at Napa Valley College (NVC) in their efforts to develop short- and long-range plans for the institution, this report reviews recent reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding trends in the labor force. Following introductory material, the report looks at occupations with the largest job growth, the 20 fastest…

Designed to assist in determining the need for the present and proposed occupational and degree programs offered by the Saddleback Community College District (SCCD), this report examines selected demographic and labor market data related to Orange County, California, industrial and occupational trends, and employment opportunities for SCCD program…

The author examines the ability of high-tech industry to provide jobs for graduates of these programs. He also discusses the historical role of vocational education in national policy and the problems that may result from the attempt to prepare students for specific jobs rather than for careers. (CT)

Four major trends reshaping the American economy are having a tremendous effect on the number and nature of jobs in the United States: (1) corporate downsizing; (2) the outsourcing of work and services; (3) increasing use of "contingent" workers; and (4) the increasing income disparity between high school and college graduates. These trends have…

A survey mailed to 15,000 students listed as occupational majors in fall 1972, 1974, and 1976 at the three San Mateo County Community College District colleges yielded a 13.3% response rate. Respondents were found to be representative of program completers but not of non-completers. Findings suggested: respondents were predominantly white, half…